Despite a few fumbles, the West Penn Township Fire Company has another chance to pick up the ball and run with it.

At issue is the fire company’s equipment, which has been stored in the township’s municipal building garage at times.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti explained at last week’s board of supervisors meeting the issue.

Prudenti said that when the fire department rents its garage, the fire company brings its equipment to the township to keep it inside.

“I don’t like the liability of (them) being in the building,” Prudenti said. “The last time they had to move our equipment, which is a liability to us.”

Prudenti said he’s not in favor of continuing the arrangement.

“More and more, it’s getting out of hand,” Prudenti said. “It’s more about the liability of them driving our vehicles, and us driving their vehicles.”

Supervisor Tim Houser mentioned the need for more storage area.

“Space is the issue,” Houser said. “There’s no doubt about it.”

Houser said the situation is unfortunate, but that the township hopes to eventually put a new building up, which would increase space.

“It’s a matter of looking to try to get additional funds so we can get a building up (to store equipment in),” he said. “It all comes down to money.”

Township fire Chief Jeff Bradford said the fire company can’t take a chance of leaving about $2 million worth of equipment unprotected.

“We really need to leave it the way it is; we need to use the building,” Bradford said. “We need to do a better job; give us a shot to make it right.”

Bradford reiterated the fire company’s preference to continue to use the township’s municipal building to store its vehicles inside.

“I’d really like to leave it the way it is,” he said. “We have a great relationship with you guys.”

Houser told Bradford the township is empathetic to the fire department’s needs, but that better communication is the key.

“We understand your concerns,” Houser said. “There needs to be a better understanding and cooperation.”

The board then left the matter up to the discretion of township roadmaster Jeremy Frable.

Frable said he’s OK with the fire department storing its vehicle inside, but added there needs to be better communication.

Bradford said he understood, and would make certain that’s the case moving forward.